Bed or divan spring arrangement



July 26, 1955 c. SCHNEIDER 2,713,690

BED OR DIVAN SPRING ARRANGEMENT Filed May 12, 1952 A/AEL ES SCHNEIDER,

INVEN TOR.

United States Patent BED OR DIVAN SPRING ARRANGEMENT Charles Schneider, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 12, 1952, Serial No. 287,285 7 Claims. (Cl. -188) This invention relates to an improved spring structure for an article of furniture and more particularly to a novel manner of yieldably supporting ends of a flexible fabric means stretched within an open-ended rigid frame.

Flexible fabric means of pliant, yieldable metal or nonmetal material such as woven wire netting, a metal link fabric, or a canvas material have been heretofore used to support pads, mattresses and the like in an article of furniture by stretching the fabric means within a rigid closed and rectangular open frame. The fabric means when stretched normally lay in the plane of the frame and was connected to the frame by a plurality of peripheral longitudinally and transversely spaced coil springs connecting adjacent edges of the fabric means to the frame. Such a fabric means and spring arrangement has been used on beds, divans, swing sets and the like. When used with a divan, such spring supportedfabric means satisfactorily accomplished its purpose when an individual sat in the central portion of a divan. Likewise, such an an rangement was satisfactory when a relatively short person reclined in an intermediate portion of a bed employing this structure.

Such a method of spring supporting a flexible fabric means within a rigid rectangular frame is objectionable when an individual is seated in proximity to an end of the frame. When so seated the rigid end rails and the spring connection to the end edges of the fabric means tend to tilt the body of an individual inwardly and toward the longitudinal center of the frame. An awkward tiresome sitting position is thus imposed on an individual so seated. In other words, the springs supporting the metal fabric means at end corners of the frame exert a diagonally inwardly directed force upon the body of the individual because the rigid end rail cannot yield. The individual cannot comfortably lean against the back of a divan, instead he is subjected to inwardly directed side force components which quickly tire the body.

When such a spring support for a flexible fabric means was used in connection with a bed, the rigid end rails lying in the normal plane of. the fabric means provided a non-yielding support to an adjacent end portion of an individuals body, unless the end rail was adequately covered by a relatively thick mattress, and was objectionable and uncomfortable to individuals of normal height.

The present invention provides a novel means for supporting ends of a flexible fabric means so that there will be no tendency to incline a body diagonally inwardly toward the center of a divan when seated adjacent an end of the divan. The spring structure of the present invention permits the body of an individual so seated to lean straight back as the sitter desires and expects. Likewise, in beds employing the spring structure of the present invention there will be no abrupt rise at the head or foot of the bed and therefore an individual reclining on such a bed will have greater comfort. The spring structure of the present invention contemplates omission of rigid end rails in the normal plane of such a flexible fabric means and provides a flexible yieldable, non-stretchable means for supporting the ends of the fabric means in a normal selected plane.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to design and provide an improved spring structure which obviates the disadvantages of prior arrangements for supporting a flexible fabric means, which is more comfortable, and which reacts in virtually the same manner throughout the length of the spring structure in a substantially uni.- form manner.

An object of this invention is to design and provide a spring structure wherein side rails are interconnected by means lying out of the plane of the side rails.

Another object of this invention is to design and provide a spring structure wherein end portions of a flexible fabric means stretched between parallel side rails are capable of yielding movement in a vertical direction in substantially the same manner as a central portion of the fabric.

A further object of this invention is to design and provide an improved spring structure wherein flexible yieldable non-stretchable means connect ends of an open ended frame for supporting end portions of a flexible fabric means.

This invention contemplates a flexible non-stretchable means connecting ends of an open ended frame wherein the flexible means assumes the form of a horizontally disposed catenary curve for uniformly stretching the fabric means in a longitudinal direction.

A still further object of this invention is to design and provide an improved spring structure utilizing an openended rigid frame for stretching a flexible fabric means therewithin which is simply constructed and easy to manufacture.

This invention contemplates an improved spring structure wherein the reaction of the flexible fabric means to loads positioned at virtually any point along its length are virtually the same.

Generally speaking, this invention contemplates a rigid open-ended frame including a pair of parallel side rails interconnected by transverse means lying out of the plane of the side rails. A flexible link fabric means of smaller dimensions than the frame is stretched in a lateral direction between the side rails by a plurality of suitably spaced spring means connecting side edges of the fabric means with the side rails. The link fabric means is stretched in a longitudinal direction by a plurality of spaced springs connecting end edges of the fabric means to a flexible nonstretchable chain means which is pivotally connected to opposed ends of the side rails at each end of the frame. The flexible non-stretchable chain means has greater length than the spacing between the side rails and in normal position assumes the form of a horizontally disposed catenary or sail curve when connected by the spring means to the ends of the link fabric means. The flexible non-stretchable chain means and the springs associated therewith are capable of yielding in a vertical direction so that a load imposed adjacent an end of the frame will not be resisted by force components acting longitudinally of the frame.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one example of a spring structure embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken in a longitudinally extending plane indicated by line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a different modification of a spring structure embodying this invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of another modification of the spring structure embodying this invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of still another modification of the spring structure embodying this invention.

Referring to the embodiment of this invention exemplarily illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a rigid opened frame generally indicated at 19 may comprise spaced parallel elongated rigid side frame members or rails 11 which may be formed of any suitable metal stock illustrated here as of angle section. The side rails 11 are disposed with inwardly extending flanges 12 lying in the same plane.

The rigid side rails 11 may be interconnected by a pair of longitudinally spaced rigid means which lie substantially out of the plane of rails 11. Each of said rigid means includes an upright U-shaped member 13 formed of angle section and including upstanding vertical side legs 14 and an interconnecting transversely disposed bottom element 15. The top of each side leg 14 may be suitably connected as by welding to a side rail 11 at a point spaced inwardly from the end of the frame as indicated at 16, Fig. 1.

Flexible fabric means, generally indicated at 18, may comprise any suitable pliant flexible metal or non-metal fabric such as a link fabric illustrated. The rectangular dimensions of the link fabric are less than the correspond ing dimensions of the rigid open frame so that the side edges and end edges of the link fabric are spaced from corresponding portions of the frame. The link fabric 18 is laterally stretched to normally lie in the plane of the side rails 11 by means of a plurality of longitudinally spaced coil springs 19 each connected at one end to a longitudinal edge of the link fabric and connected at its other end to flange 12 on side rail 11.

Flexible yieldable non-stretchable means are provided for supporting end edges of the link fabric and for stretching the fabric longitudinally. In this embodiment the flexible non-stretchable means comprises a chain 21 pivotally connected at its ends as at 22 to opposed side rail ends 23 at each open end of frame 10. The flexible chain 21 is of a length greater than the spacing between side rails 11.

A plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally extending spring means 24 each connect an end edge portion of link fabric means 18 to the adjacent chain 21. The spring means 24 may be of different length and are preferably selected and tensioned so as to impose a relatively uniform pull upon the flexible chain 21 throughout its length and to stretch the link fabric 18 in a longitudinal direction. When completely stretched both laterally and longitudinally, the link fabric 18, spring means 24, and flexible chain 21 lie in virtually the same plane as the plane of the side rails 11 and the flexible chain 21 assumes the form or curvature of a horizontally disposed catenary or sail curve.

It should be noted that the transverse means 13 is spaced a sufiicient distance below the plane of the fabric means so that a load imposed thereon will not depress the fabric means into contact with the transverse element 15.

When a load is imposed adjacent an end of open-ended frame 10, the link fabric and springs 24 supporting the link fabric will yield in such a manner that longitudinally acting force components which tend to tilt the load will be virtually eliminated. Thus an individual seated adjacent an end of the frame may rest against the back of a divan in normal expected comfortable fashion and there will be no tendency for tilting the body of the individual sidewardly, inwardly, or longitudinally of the frame.

The position of the flexible non-stretchable normally horizontally disposed catenary curved chain 21 is indicated by phantom lines 25 when such a load is imposed on the link fabric. The flexible chain is displaced downwardly and when viewed from the end, appears in concave curved form. When viewed from the side, the chain is diagonally downwardly and inwardly directed and the chain may be disposed in a force relationship to the load similar to that of the link fabric on the opposite side of the load.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the flexible chain means has been modified to include a pair of relatively .short straps interconnected by a flexible, yieldable transverse spring means in order to permit some longitudinally yielding under a vertically imposed load thereon. Parts similar to the first embodiment are identified by the same reference numeral with a prime sign.

In this modification the open-ended frame 10' includes rigid side rails 11' interconnected by transvese means 1.3. The link fabric means 18' is connected to the side rails 11 by spaced springs 19'.

At each end of frame 10 may be pivotally supported an inwardly extending rigid strap 3t) from each end of opposed rails 11'. The straps are preferably not greater than /3 of the distance between opposed side rails and their inner opposed ends 31 may be interconnected in pivoted fashion by a relatively heavy coil spring 32, said coil spring being under tension to normally maintain straps 30 in the plane of the rigid frame 10'. The adjacent end of the link fabric means 18' may be connected to straps 30 by means of a plurality of transversely spaced coil springs 33. The center portion of spring 32 may be connected to the link fabric means by a somewhat heavier longitudinally extending spring 34.

In the action of this embodiment, a vertically imposed load at the end portion of the link fabric 18' will cause the straps 30 and spring 32 to yield longitudinally inwardly and downwardly so that any tendency to tilt the load longitudinally inwardly will be virtually obviated. In the modification the straps 30 are so pivotally connected to end rails 11' that they are capable of moving in a vertical direction.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the means for supporting the ends of the link fabric is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. l, and differs therefrom in that a plurality of transversely spaced springs of equal length connect a flexible chain to the adjacent end of link fabric means.

In Fig. 5 the frame 10", link fabric means 18", and flexible yieldable chain means 21 are similarly constructed as in Fig. 1. Between the flexible chain means 21" and the adjacent end of the link fabric 18" may be arranged a plurality of transversely spaced spring means each of equal length. One end of each spring 40 is connected to the end edge of link fabric 18 and the opposite end of each spring means 40 is connected to a fragmentary auxiliary link arrangement 41. The fragmentary link arrangement 41 may comprise transverse interconnected link elements 42 and longitudinal link elements 43 each of different length and pivotally connected to the transverse link elements 42 and to the chain means 21. The selection of different lengths of link element 43 is such that the flexible chain means 21" will be disposed in the curve of a catenary when normally lying in the plane of the link fabric 18'.

The action of springs 40, fragmentary link arrangement 41, and horizontally disposed catenary curve chain means 21 is substantially similar to that described for the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated still a different embodiment of this invention wherein yieldable means are provided for supporting end margins of a link fabric from a rigid frame. In this modification a suitable S-hook is pivotally connected to each end of a side rail. The free end of each hook 50 is connected to a flat longitudinally bendable strap 51 which extends between the side rails and connects the hooks 50. Laterally spaced spring means 52 of substantially the same length connect strap 51 with the adjacent end of the flexible link fabric. In normally disposed position, the springs 52 and strap 51 are disposed virtually in the plane of the flexible fabric means and the side rails. When a load is imposed on the link fabric adjacent to an end of the frame in this embodiment the flat strap is capable of swinging about its pivotal connection to the end rails and of bending downwardly so as to substantially eliminate any downwardly and inwardly acting forces tending to tilt the load.

It will be thus readily apparent that when this spring structure is used in a bed, divan, or the like, the link fabric is capable of reacting virtually uniformly throughout its entire length to a load imposed thereon at different selected points. A load imposed adjacent an end of the frame will be supported in a manner similar to the support of a load imposed in the central portion of the link fabric.

The provision of an open-ended frame for supporting a flexible fabric means by yieldable means which is capable of assuming the curvature of a horizontally disposed catenary or sail curve affords a simple effective spring construction which eliminates the disadvantages of a fabric means supported by a rigid closed frame having rigid end rails.

All changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

I claim:

1. In a spring structure for articles of furniture a combination of: an open-ended frame comprising a pair of spaced rigid parallel side rails lying in a horizontal plane, means connecting said side rails below said plane; a flexible metal fabric means stretched transversely between the side rails by resilient means connecting side edges of the fabric means to the side rails; and means normally in the curvature of a horizontally disposed catenary supporting end edges of the fabric means, said catenary means including a flexible non-stretchable chain extending between and pivotally connected to opposed ends -of the side rails at each end of the frame, said chain being longer than the distance between opposed side rail ends, and a plurality of laterally spaced spring means connecting said chain at intermediate points to an adjacent end edge of the fabric means for stretching the fabric means longitudinally and whereby the chain will normally lie in the plane of the fabric means and assume the form of a horizontally disposed catenary.

2. In a spring structure for articles of furniture a combination of: a frame comprising a pair of spaced rigid parallel side rails lying in a horizontal plane, means connecting said side rails below said plane; a flexible fabric means stretched transversely between the side rails by resilient means connecting side edges of the fabric means to the side rails; and means normally in the curvature of a horizontally disposed catenary supporting end edges of the fabric means, said catenary means including a flexible non-stretchable chain extending between and having ends connected to opposed ends of the side rails at each end of the frame, said chain being longer than the distance between opposed side rail ends, and a plurality of laterally spaced spring means connecting said chain at intermediate points to an adjacent end edge of the fabric means for stretching the fabric means longitudinally and whereby the chain will normally lie in the plane of the fabric means and assume the form of a horizontally disposed catenary.

3. In a spring structure for articles of furniture a combination of: a frame comprising a pair of spaced rigid parallel side rails lying in a horizontal plane, means connecting said side rails below said plane; a flexible fabric means stretched transversely between the side rails by resilient means connecting side edges of the fabric means to the side rails; a horizontally and vertically yieldable means at each end of the frame and connected to opposed ends of the side rails; said yieldable means having a length greater than the spacing between opposed ends of the side rails; and a plurality of transversely spaced spring means extending between and connecting at intermediate points said yieldable means and the adjacent end of the fabric means for imparting to the yieldable means the form of a catenary curve.

4. In a spring structure for an article of furniture and adapted to afford virtually uniform seating characteristics throughout the entire length thereof, the combination of: a rigid open frame including spaced parallel rigid side members lying in a plane; a flexible fabric means normally lying in said plane within said frame and having side edges spacd from said side members and end edges spaced inwardly from ends of said side members; resilient means connecting side edges of the fabric means to the side members; and a yieldable virtually nonstretchable means at each end of the frame pivotally connected to opposed ends of the side members and each having a length greater than the transverse spacing of said side rails, and a plurality of laterally spaced resilient means connecting each non-stretchable means to adjacent end edges of the fabric means whereby the non-stretchable means will normally lie in the plane of the fabric and assume the form of a horizontally disposed catenary curve.

5. Means for yieldably supporting an end of a flexible fabric between a pair of spaced parallel frame members, said fabric normally lying and supported in the plane defined by said frame members, and comprising in combination therewith: a non-stretchable flexible continuous chain having opposite ends thereof pivotally connected to said frame members and having a length greater than the spacing between said frame members; and a plurality of coil springs of selected length and tension disposed between said frame members in spaced relation and interconnecting said flexible chain to the end margin of said fabric whereby said flexible chain normally lies in the plane of the frame members and in the form of a catenary curve.

6. Means for yieldably supporting an end of a flexible fabric means between a pair of spaced parallel frame members, said fabric means normally being supported in the plane of said frame members, comprising in combination therewith: a flexible means having opposite ends pivotally connected to said frame members and having a length greater than the spacing between said frame members; and a plurality of longitudinally disposed elements of selected length between said frame members in spaced relation and interconnecting said flexible means to the end margin of said fabric means whereby said flexible means normally lies in the plane of the frame members in the form of a catenary curve and is capable of yielding movement longitudinally of the frame members and towards and from the plane defined by the frame members.

7. In a spring structure for an article of furniture, the combination of: a pair of spaced parallel rigid members having oppositely disposed end portions; a flexible fabric means lying normally in the plane of and between said pair of rigid members and supported thereby; and means connecting each end of the fabric means to adjacent end portions of the rigid members, said connecting means including a flexible yieldable means having a length greater than the distance between said end portions and having ends pivotally connected to said end portions; and a plurality of spring means disposed between said rigid members at selected intervals and interconnecting said yieldable means and the end margin of the fabric means, said spring means being of selected length and tension whereby said flexible means normally lies in the plane of said rigid members and said fabric means is longitudinally stretched thereby, said flexible means being movable downwardly and outwardly under load.

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